Florida State seniors enjoy last ride at Doak

Florida State defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (8), linebacker Christian Jones (7) and defensive tackle Jacobbi McDaniel (55) combine to sack Idaho quarterback Taylor Davis (12) in the first half. Jones and McDaniel were among 24 seniors playing their final home game.

AP photo

By Brad Milner | News Herald Writer

Published: Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 10:47 PM.

TALLAHASSEE — Bryan Stork, Dan Hicks and Jacobbi McDaniel are among a group of eight Florida State players with a perspective vital to an unbeaten team that has endured little adversity on the field this season.

Those fifth-year seniors were present during the Seminoles’ last difficult season in 2009, when they finished 7-6 in Bobby Bowden’s final year on the sidelines. A total of 24 seniors were honored before Saturday’s home finale against Idaho with some having more to do with FSU’s turnaround than others, but coach Jimbo Fisher said each was critical to success in their given roles.

FSU is 42-10 under Fisher since 2010 with its third trip to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game upcoming Dec. 7. The Seminoles were 33-19 and matched his one ACC title between 2004-08, as they dipped under Bowden before the program was turned over to then head coach in-waiting Fisher.

“I’m thankful for these seniors,” Fisher said. “We wanted to send them out the right way.”

Stork, the starter at center the past two seasons, and the seven other fifth-year seniors were part of the tumultuous times in 2009. It seemed like a trip to the Bowl Championship Series Championship Game was far off then. It could become a reality in two weeks should the Seminoles hold on to one of the top two spots in the BCS standings.

Stork has maintained good health throughout his career. McDaniel hasn’t been as lucky with an ankle injury erasing his 2012 season and part of 2011. He also battled an elbow injury as a sophomore, but still appeared in 14 games.

McDaniel has played in each of FSU’s 11 games this year despite not making a start. He capped his senior day with an interception on the first play of the second quarter.

TALLAHASSEE — Bryan Stork, Dan Hicks and Jacobbi McDaniel are among a group of eight Florida State players with a perspective vital to an unbeaten team that has endured little adversity on the field this season.

Those fifth-year seniors were present during the Seminoles’ last difficult season in 2009, when they finished 7-6 in Bobby Bowden’s final year on the sidelines. A total of 24 seniors were honored before Saturday’s home finale against Idaho with some having more to do with FSU’s turnaround than others, but coach Jimbo Fisher said each was critical to success in their given roles.

FSU is 42-10 under Fisher since 2010 with its third trip to the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game upcoming Dec. 7. The Seminoles were 33-19 and matched his one ACC title between 2004-08, as they dipped under Bowden before the program was turned over to then head coach in-waiting Fisher.

“I’m thankful for these seniors,” Fisher said. “We wanted to send them out the right way.”

Stork, the starter at center the past two seasons, and the seven other fifth-year seniors were part of the tumultuous times in 2009. It seemed like a trip to the Bowl Championship Series Championship Game was far off then. It could become a reality in two weeks should the Seminoles hold on to one of the top two spots in the BCS standings.

Stork has maintained good health throughout his career. McDaniel hasn’t been as lucky with an ankle injury erasing his 2012 season and part of 2011. He also battled an elbow injury as a sophomore, but still appeared in 14 games.

McDaniel has played in each of FSU’s 11 games this year despite not making a start. He capped his senior day with an interception on the first play of the second quarter.

None of the fifth-year seniors were made available for postgame interviews. This was the first week a set number of players, chosen by FSU Sports Information, were ushered to the Turf Room without media requests.

The senior class also includes wide receiver Kenny Shaw, linebackers Christian Jones and Telvin Smith, fullback Chad Abram, defensive back Terrence Brooks deep snapper Philip Doumar and a few walk-ons, including fifth-year senior Jonathan Wallace, who was awarded a scholarship for his final season.

Smith celebrated his final home game with a 79-yard interception return to give FSU a 21-0 lead with 3:05 to play in the first quarter. He also returned an interception 68 yards for a score against Bethune-Cookman Sept. 21.

“To go out like that was a tremendous feeling,” he said. “I walked out on the field before the game and took a few laps to reminisce about all the plays I made here.

“I prayed for three (interceptions), but He only blessed me with one of them.”

Shaw has steadily improved over the last three seasons with more than 100 receptions while also starting as punt returner this season. He joins Rashad Greene as wide receivers with an opportunity to eclipse 1,000 yards and finished Saturday with five catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first time he had more than 100 yards this season after narrowly missing the mark in previous games.

Smith was second on the team Saturday with four solo tackles. McDaniel and Jones recorded a tackle apiece and fellow senior Gerald Demps made three stops.

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